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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

































































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REPORT ON WATER-GAS. 


By a Special Committee Appointed by the Judges of the 
“Novelties” Exhibition, Franklin Institute. 


\ 




Philadelphia : 

1886. 

























3 


REPORT on WATER-GAS. 


[made by a special committee appointed by the board of 

JUDGES OF THE “ NOVELTIES ” EXHIBITION.] 

The committee —to which was assigned the duty of formulating 
the reasons on which the Board of Judges has based its recom¬ 
mendation of an award of a Grand Medal of Honor to Thad- 
deus S. C. Lowe, of Norristown, Penna.—respectfully submits the 
following report: 

The published announcement of the Board of Managers of the 
P"ranklin Institute, respecting this award, reads as follows : 

“ A Grand Medal of Honor to the invention or discovery 
shown at the Exhibition which shall be held to contribute most 
largely to the welfare of mankind.” 

By the terms of this announcement, therefore, the selection of 
the subject is limited to an invention or discovery shown at the 
Exhibition; and it is required that the subject chosen shall pos¬ 
sess the qualification of pre-eminent usefulness, in the sense that its 
advantages and benefits may be enjoyed by the greatest number. 

It is the opinion of your committee that an invention or dis¬ 
covery that notably cheapens the cost of fuel and light, and that is 
not circumscribed in its applicability, but that may be widely 
utilized, should merit your most respectful consideration. 

Both directly and indirectly, cheaper fuel and cheaper light con¬ 
tribute largely to the welfare of mankind; directly by increasing 
personal comfort and safety, and indirectly by cheapening the 
cost of innumerable manufactured products ; and, in the judgment 
of your committee, to crown a meritorious invention or discovery 
of this character, with special distinction, would be worthy of the 
the utilitarian spirit of the Franklin Institute. 




4 


In order that you may form an intelligent opinion of the merits 
of the Lowe Process for the Manufacture of Water-Gas, your com¬ 
mittee has investigated the state of the art prior to, and up to the 
time of its introduction. A brief resume of the results of this 
inquiry is given herewith, with suitable references appended. 

Fontana. 

So far as your committee can ascertain, Fontana was the first 
to observe, and to call attention to, the reaction which takes place 
between steam and incandescent carbon, and which results primarily 
in the formation of one volume of hydrogen gas and one of carbon 
monoxide from one volume of steam. 

John Ibbetson , 1824. 

John Ibbetson appears to have been the first who attempted to 
apply Fontana’s observation in the practice of gas manufacture 
(an abstract of Ibbetson’s British Patent No. 4,954, March 15, 
1824, is given below, and a sketch of his apparatus is appended 
and marked Appendix A. 

Following Ibbetson’s come a legion of patented processes, in 
which inventors with more or less ingenuity, have endeavored to 
take advantage of the interaction of steam and carbon at elevated 
temperatures, either as an accessory to, or, as the foundation of, the 
manufacture of gas for illumination or heating. 


Your committee has embodied in this report only such refer¬ 
ences as, in its judgment, have a direct bearing on the develop¬ 
ment of water-gas processes from a technical standpoint. 

In tracing the development of the art of producing water-gas 
from its crude beginnings to its present highly perfected state, all 
the processes, in which the reaction of steam and incandescent 
carbon or carbonaceous substances is introduced, may be divided 
into two groups: 

(/.) Those in which steam is introduced into retorts containing 


5 

carbon , the temperature of which is maintained by combustion 
external to the retorts; and 

(2.) Those m which steam is admitted into retorts or furnaces 
containing carbon , which has been previously heated by partial com¬ 
bustion of its own mass , or by internal combustion. 

In the processes embodied under both of these heads, the 
steam may or may not be superheated before it is introduced to 
the retorts or furnaces, and the waste heat of the furnace gases, 
and that 'carried by the finished gas may or may not be utilized. 

It thus appears that the development of water-gas manufacture 
proceeded along two quite distinct lines; one, having for its chief 
distinguishing feature the system of external firing, and the other 
that of internal firing. The capabilities of both systems have been 
very fully brought out, and both are in use at the present time. 
A consideration of both systems will therefore be necessary to an 
understanding of their merits. 


6 


CLASS I.—PROCESSES EMPLOYING EXTERNAL FIRING. 

These may be conveniently subdivided into two groups: 

{a.) Ihose in which saturated {or non-superheated ) steam of com¬ 
paratively low temperature and pressure is employed; and 

(b.) Those in which superheated steam is employed. 

{a.) Processes in which non-superheated steam is used. 

This group is represented by the following processes: 

John Ibbetson , 182e). 

John Ibbetson’s process, patented in England, May 15, 1824 
(British Patent No. 4,954), is the earliest of which your committee 
finds any record. 

This invention embraced an apparatus “ for the decomposition of 
water under the process of passing steam through ignited coke, or 
other carbonaceous matter as an auxiliary in the production or 
manufacture of inflammable gas from coals, peat oil, tar, or other 
combustible substance.” His second claim is “ causing the vola¬ 
tile results which proceed from the decomposition of water, or 
from the decomposition of coals, peat, tar, oil, or other combusti¬ 
ble matters in their nascent state, or in the state in which they rise, 
and before they undergo any process of cooling, to pass through 
ignited coke or other carbonaceous matter.” 

In this ingenious but impractical apparatus (of which a sketch 
is appended, marked Appendix A ), the fire-brick retort is built around 
a central fire-box, and, at the same time the flame and products of 
combustion are caused to descend and play around the exterior of 
the retort. Steam is injected through perforated clay pipes, and 
the gas is led to the “ hydraulic main or other receiver.” 

Selligue , 1835. 

Alexandre Selligue, an eminent French technologist, in 1835 
{Brevet d'lnvention, Nro. g,8oo } ^ieme Brevet d' Addition), employed 


7 


semi-cylindrical retorts, arranged in pairs, vertically, and heated by 
external firing from above and below, by an arrangement of grates 
at two levels. The interior of each retort is divided into two com¬ 
partments by a vertical fire-brick partition, and the gas formed is 
withdrawn at the opposite side. A sketch of this apparatus is ap¬ 
pended and marked Appendix B. 

White , 184.J . 

In 1847, Stephen White (B. P., 11,654), patented an apparatus 
consisting of three vertical retorts, the first two of which contain, 
near the bottom, a collander filled with iron plates or wire and 
lime. They are then filled up with charcoal, coke or anthracite, 
and are heated to whiteness either by the “ usual furnace ” or “ the 
apparatus known as Daniell’s galvanic battery, the positive and 
negative wires being conducted into the retorts ” (!) 

A small stream of water is allowed to flow into the first retort, 
and the vapor passes downward, and by a conducting pipe at the 
bottom into the second retort, from which the gases pass into the 
third retort. 

The latter contains coils of iron chains, which are maintained at 
a moderate red heat, and is supplied with a suitable stream of oil, 
fat, tallow or tar, which drips on the heated iron. The resulting 
gas passes from the retort to the condenser, and thence to the gas¬ 
holder. 

This patent is almost identical with B. P. 8,126, granted to John 
Alexander Phillip de val Marino, June 22, 1839. 

Lancaster & Smith , 1855. 

Lancaster & Smith, in 1855 (B.P. No. 1,181), proposed to pour 
water or inject steam into the retorts during the distillation of gas 
from coal. 

Prince , 1861. 

In 1861, Alexander Prince (B. P. 1,397) proposed to introduce 
a mixture of tar and water into a retort containing incandescent 


8 


charcoal. “ The steam thus decomposed with the red hot coal 
forms hydrogen and carbonic oxide gas,' which, being likewise in a 
glowing condition, decomposes the present carburet and combines 
with it.” 


(, b ) Processes in which superheated steam is used. 

This group is represented by the following processes: 

Cruckshanks , i8jg 

In 1839, Alexander Cruckshanks obtained a patent ( B. P. 
No. 8,141) for a vertical retort filled with carbonaceous material, 
and heated by external firing. The injected steam is superheated 
by being led through pipes that pass through the flue and fire-box, 
and the heat of the waste gases from the furnace as well as that 
from the gas produced in the retort, is utilized to heat the water 
supplied to the boiler, and to generate the steam required by the 
retort. The claims in this improved method for obtaining an 
inflammable gas from the decomposition of water, are : 

(1.) “That the heated gas from the retort and the hot air from 
the furnaces are applied to generate and to heat the steam, as also 
to heat the water with which the boiler is supplied.” 

(2.) “ That the steam is introduced to the retort at the tempera¬ 
ture at which it is decomposable by carbonaceous substances, 
whereby retorts of much larger dimensions may be used than with 
steam at lower temperature.” 

A sketch of this apparatus is appended and marked Appendix C. 
Lozve , 1846 

In 1846, George Lowe (B. P. No. 11,405) suggested blowing 
superheated steam into retorts, in which gas is being made, the 
steam being admitted at a point as far as possible from the point of 
exit of the gas. 

Barlow & Gore , 1851. 

In 1851, Barlow & Gore (B. P. No. 13,593) passed steam, 


9 


heated to a high degree, if desired, over incandescent coke, and 
then over coal which was being converted into gas. 

Dinsdale , 1854. 

In 1854, Thos. Dinsdale(B. P. 1,389) patented an apparatus by 
which superheated steam was injected into retorts during the dis¬ 
tillation of coal for gas making. 

Jacquelin , 1854. 

Augustin Jacquelin proposed, in 1854 (B. P. 1,840), to expose 
carbon alone, or in combination, to the action of an excess of steam 
at a high temperature, so as to convert the carbon into carbon 
dioxide and obtain pure hydrogen. 

This is not the object of modern water-gas processes, and the 
method of Jacquelin required externally heated retorts. 

Sanders , 1858. 

A great advance upon the foregoing processes is that of J. 
Milton Sanders, patented in the United States July 27, 1858. 
(U. S. Patent No. 21,027.) 

This process attracted much attention at the time, and was 
experimentally used in several localities. The trials of the process 
at the Girard House, in this city, in 1859-1860, maybe recalled by 
some of the members here present. 

The Sanders Water-Gas process employed L-shaped retorts of 
cast iron, placed vertically, which were charged with charcoal of 
oak or maple, and heated to incandescence by a coke fire applied 
externally. An atomizer delivered a spray of superheated steam 
and melted rosin into the top of the retort, and the gas was passed 
out from the horizontal leg of the retort. It was submitted to sub¬ 
stantially the same treatment as ordinary coal gas. 

The process did not prove commercially successful, principally 
it appears, because of the excessive destruction of the retorts. 
Your committee has been able, through the politeness of Mr. 
S. Lloyd Wiegand, to obtain a sketch of the Girard House plant, 


IO 


with a letter giving some details of interest. This letter and a sketch 
of the Sanders apparatus are appended and marked Appendix D. 

hoard , i860. 

In i860, Isoard (B. P. 2,782, 1857,) endeavored to introduce a 
process for producing illuminating gas, rich in hydro-carbons, by 
the action of superheated steam on coal, oils, etc. The apparatus 
required the use of retorts, externally heated and the gas obtained 
was essentially different from water-gas. 

Gillard , i860. 

Gillard’s process (B. P. 1,087, i860,) consisted in injecting 
superheated steam into a fire-brick lined retort containing wood, 
charcoal, or any carbon free from sulphur, and the resulting gas was 
purified by lime. 

Harris-Allen , 1871-72 . 

Passing by numerous patented procedures of minor importance, 
the class of processes embraced in this division of the subject ap¬ 
pears to have reached its highest state of development in the 
patents (No. 112,593, March 14, 1871, issued to G. M. Harris, of 
Elizabeth, N. J., and No. 129,951, July, 30, 1872,) issued to G. M. 
Harris and Horatio P. Allen, of New York. 

The first of these is for fire-clay horizontal double retorts for 
the production of water-gas by the delivery of “ superheated steam 
in finely divided jets through incandescent carbon.” 

The second (Harris and Allen, No. 129,95 1 > July 3 °» 1 872,) is for 
certain “improvements in the form, arrangements and setting of 
retorts for the production of permanent gases from steam by the 
action of incandescent carbon;” describes a gas “ generator ” of 
vertical fire-clay retorts for the production of water-gas by the 
delivery of superheated steam in finely divided jets through incan¬ 
descent carbon. This arrangement of apparatus seems to be a 
very effective form, and may stand as the typical representative of 
the class of water-gas systems here considered. The Harris and 


I 


Allen plant, with certain improvements in minor details, is in use 
at the works of the Citizens’ Gas Company, in Poughkeepsie and at 
Rondout, N. Y. (Drawings of these patents are appended and 
marked Appendix E.) 


2 


CLASS II.—PROCESSES EMPLOYING INTERNAL FIRING. 

The water-gas processes at present in general use, belong 
to this class. The earliest of these were intended to be merely 
accessories to the usual coal-gas process. Some employed satur¬ 
ated steam, others superheated steam. In some, provision was 
made for the utilization of waste heats; in others, this was 
neglected. 

A resume of the several processes, which have contributed 
materially to the development of this class of water-gas processes, 
is given in what follows: 

Lowe , i8ji. 

In 1831, George Lowe (B. P., 6,179,) invented an apparatus to 
be applied to retorts, coke ovens or furnaces of gas works, for the 
purpose ot receiving the hot coke drawn therefrom, and generating 
gas by means thereof. The principal object of this apparatus 
appears to have been the utilization of the heat of the incandescent 
coke. The apparatus consisted of a fire-brick lined cylinder of 
cast or wrought iron, arranged under a hopper below the floor of 
the retort house, and in front of a bench of retorts. The cylinder 
is of convenient size to receive the coke drawn from a bench of 
retorts as soon as they are discharged, and is furnished with a grate 
at the bottom, on which the coke may rest. Within a short time 
after the cylinder is thus filled, the draught produced by the hot coke 
accelerates the combustion so much that the coke is heated to 
whiteness, the top and bottom of the cylinder are then closed by 
suitable lids or covers, and steam or “ other matter” is introduced 
through a pipe leading into the upper portion of the cylinder. The 
gas produced passes out by a pipe at the lower end of the cylinder, 
and, it is recommended that this pipe have three valve branches, 
connecting with the middle and upper portions of the cylinder, in 
order that the gas may be drawn only from the hottest portion. It 
is added “ that if the gas made in this manner be produced from 


3 


steam, it is evident that it will not pass off from the cylinder in a 
state fit for illumination, but must be subsequently submitted to 
the known process of saturation with the vapor of essential oils, or 
other similar illuminating matter, in order to render it fit for use.” 

The process of Mr. Lowe is apparently the first recorded 
description of the production of a pure water-gas, and he is the 
first to describe the process of making this gas an illuminant by 
carburation subsequently to its production. 

From the description above given, however, it is evident that 
Mr. Lowe’s process was designed to be merely an accessory to the 
usual coal gas process, his principal object being, as is manifest 
from the context, to utilize the heat of the incandescent coke as it 
is withdrawn from the retorts. A sketch of George Lowe’s 
apparatus is appended, marked Appendix F. 

Kirkham Brothers , 1852. 

In 1852, John and Thos. N. Kirkham (B. P. 14,238) patented 
a process by which a mixture of steam and air was passed over 
coal heated to nearly the melting point of iron; the waste heat of 
the furnace and of the gas generated being used to produce steam, 
and to heat the air required to maintain the combustion. The 
resulting gas is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon 
dioxide, and a large proportion of nitrogen. The carbon dioxide 
was removed by lime, and the gas passed over volatile hydro¬ 
carbons when it was required for illumination. 

In 1854, the Kirkham Brothers improved their process (B. P. 
1,882) the special improvement being a heated chamber for 
carburetting the gas. A sketch of the Kirkham apparatus is 
appended and marked Appendix G. 

The product of this process differs from water-gas in containing 
a large proportion of nitrogen, but the process nevertheless em¬ 
braces the important feature of utilizing the heat of the furnace 
products to generate the steam required in the operation of the 
process, and to heat the air blast to a high temperature prior to its 
entrance to the furnace. 


14 


It is apparent that by modifying this process so as to introduce 
the air and steam alternately, and not simultaneously, a true water- 
gas would be produced, under conditions not incompatible with 
commercial success. This water-gas could be made available 
either as such, for fuel, or by carburation or other means, as an 
illuminant. 

Your committee is advised that with the modification just 
named (which it must be confessed is a material one), the Kirk- 
ham process is practised in New York, and known under the 
name of the Municipal Process. 

Fages, i860. 

In i860, Fages ( Genie Industrial , i860 , 329, Wagner's Jahres- 
bericht , i86o y 582) devised a gazogene for producing hydrogen for 
illuminating purposes. The furnace resembled a cupola furnace. 
Coal was introduced through a removable cover, and the heat was 
produced by internal firing, the refuse being withdrawn through a 
suitable door. The charge was blown up by means of a fan, the 
cover being removed and the products of combustion being allowed 
to escape. When the proper temperature was attained, the blast 
was stopped and steam was admitted. The admission of the steam 
and the blowing of the coal were so alternated that the tempera¬ 
ture was maintained approximately uniform, and the operation 
made practically continuous. The heat of the waste gases, and of 
the gas generated was apparently not utilized. Carbon monoxide 
was to be removed from the gas by leading the latter through a 
highly heated chamber formed in the interior of the furnace where 
it came in contact with a jet of superheated steam. By the inter¬ 
action of steam and carbon monoxide under these conditions, it 
was anticipated that carbon dioxide and hydrogen would be formed. 
The former was to be removed by subjecting the gas to the usual 
purifying process, leaving hydrogen as the final product. A sketch 
of the Fages gazogene is appended, marked Appendix H. 


i5 


Fages seems to have been the first to employ the procedure of 
introducing air and steam alternately into an internally-fired gas 
generator, which forms an essential feature in modern processes of 
this class. The absence of all provision for the utilization of the 
waste heat evolved in blowing up the charge, and the impossibility 
of preventing the rapid destruction of the secondary decomposing 
chamber in the interior of the gazogene were weak features, which 
doubtless contributed to the failure of his system. 

Siemens , 1856. 

In 1856, Frederick Siemens devised and patented an improved 
arrangement of furnaces, which has since become indispensable in 
the metallurgical arts, and of which the essential features are 
described in the following extract from his British patent (No. 
2,861, 1856). 

Abstract .—My invention consists of certain arrangements of 
furnaces, which have for their object to recover the heat which is 
still contained in the flame or products of combustion on passing 
away from the fire-place, or heated chambers, or flues, towards the 
chimney, by causing that heat or a greater portion thereof, to be 
imparted to the current or currents of atmospheric air, gas, or 
other materials employed to maintain combustion in the same or 
other fire-places, by which arrangement heat may be accumulated 
to an unlimited extent (consistent with the materials employed) 
and great economy of fuel is effected. 

The principal claims are as follows : 

“ Firstly. Constructing furnaces in such manner that the heat of 
the products of combustion is abstracted by passing the same 
through chambers containing refractory materials so arranged as 
to present extensive heat-absoxbing surfaces, and is communicated 
to currents of air or other gases by passing the latter currents 
alternately over the same heated surfaces. 

a Secondly. Constructing furnaces in such manner that the pro¬ 
ducts of combustion and currents of fresh air or other gases des¬ 
tined to support combustion, are directed at intervals in opposite or 


i6 

nearly opposite directions, through chambers containing refractory 
materials, so arranged as to present extensive surfaces, with a view 
of effecting an exchange of temperatures between the two alter¬ 
nate currents. 

“ Thirdly. Arranging two chambers containing materials pre¬ 
senting extensive surfaces in connection with one furnace contain¬ 
ing one or more fire-places, in such manner that, while the mate¬ 
rials contained in one chamber are being heated by the currents 
containing the products of combustion, the heated materials in the 
second chamber impart heat to the current or currents of air of 
other gases intended to maintain combustion, and vice-versa, the 
heating and heated currents being passed alternately through each 
of the chambers in opposite directions. 

“ Fourthly. Arranging a valve or valves in connection with fur¬ 
naces in such a manner, that, by changing the position of the same 
from time to time, the current or currents of air and heated gases 
in the furnace and chamber or chambers containing heated mate¬ 
rials are reversed in their direction, but are made to enter and issue 
without interruption through the same apertures, so that they may 
be impelled by one chimney or blowing apparatus. * 

“ Fifthly. Arranging two or more pairs or sets of chambers 
containing refractory materials, and which I have termed ‘ regen¬ 
erators ’ in relation to one furnace, or one or more fire-places, in 
such manner, that, while one pair of regenerators serves to trans¬ 
fer the heat of one heated current to a current of fresh air' support¬ 
ing combustion, a second pair of regenerators may be employed to 
impart heat to the carburetted hydrogen, carbonic oxide, or other 
gaseous material intended to enter into combination with the 
heated air produced by the first mentioned pair of regenerators.” 

Siemens Brothers , i86j 

Seven years later, C. W. and Fred’k Siemens made considerable 
improvements in the details of this regenerative furnace. An ab¬ 
stract of these improvements, as described in their British patent 


17 


(No. 972, 1863), is appended to this report, with drawings, and 
marked Appendix J. 

The Siemens system of combustion comprises two important 
features : (1.) The production of a gaseous fuel from solid carbonal 
ceous materials; and (2) the utilization of the heat of the initia- 
combustion products by passing the same, alternately with air, 
through chambers constructed of refractory materials (checkered 
brick-work), arranged in any convenient manner contiguous to the 
primary combustion chamber, and in which chambers the heat of 
the products of the imperfect combustion of solid fuel is inter¬ 
mittently stored up and imparted to the entering air. 

These improvements gave, for the first time, to the metallurgical 
arts, and with notable economy, a highly perfected system of sup¬ 
plying gaseous fuel, and the command of much higher temperatures 
than had hitherto been attainable. 

It does not, however, appear in any of the descriptions given 
by the brothers Siemens of their improvements in furnaces, that 
they at any time contemplated their application to the production 
of water-gas by the introduction into the primary combustion 
chamber of the air and steam alternately; nevertheless the regen¬ 
erative system of combustion here described plays an important 
part in the development of water-gas manufacture, inasmuch as it 
constitutes one of the distinguishing features of the only con¬ 
spicuously successful water-gas process of to-day. 

Lowe , 1875. 

We come at length to the objective point of the foregoing 
historial sketch, namely: “Ihe Lowe process and apparatus for 
the production of water-gas for heating and illuminating purposes , 
which constitutes the subject of letters-patent granted to Thaddeus 
S. C. Lowe, of Norristown, Pa., September 21, 1875. (See U. S. 
Letters-Patent 167,847, of which a copy, with drawings, is hereto 
appended and marked Appendix J. 

The process described therein contains the following elements, 

viz.: 

* • 


18 

(I.) A combustion chamber or generator, designed to be 
charged with carbonaceous substances, and heated by internal 
combustion ; 

(2.) The admission of steam and air alternately into a gas gen¬ 
erator heated by internal combustion ; and 

(3.) The employment of effective methods for preventing the 
waste of heat at every stage of the process, by 

[a ) The employment of superheaters (corresponding to the 
regenerators of Siemens) in which the partially oxidized combus¬ 
tion products given off from the generator are completely burned, 
and the heat of the same is abstracted by their passage through 
extended surfaces of refractory materials (checkered brick-work), 
in which the heat is stored up, and subsequently utilized for super¬ 
heating the steam employed in the process, or in fixing the illuminat¬ 
ing gas produced; 

( b .) By causing the last portions of the heat of the combustion 
products of the superheater to heat the air-blast prior to its admis¬ 
sion to the generator, or to generate the steam required in the 
operation of the process; and 

(c.) By causing the water-gas, which leaves the generator at a 
high temperature, to pass through the flues of a boiler, or similar 
contrivance, by which the heat contained therein is caused to gen¬ 
erate steam or heat the air-blast. 


It is the belief of your committee that the combination of ele¬ 
ments here described, constitutes a process of water-gas manufac¬ 
ture more effective and more economical than any that had hitherto 
been devised. Each of these elements, either separately or united 
in part, had previously been suggested and applied—the principle 
of internal combustion, for example, by George Lowe, in 1831; the 
mode of admitting air and steam to the generator alternately, by 
Fages, in i860; the heat economizing features, by Cruckshanks, 
in 1839; by the Kirkham Brothers, in 1852, and in an eminent 


19 


degree by the brothers Siemens (1856-63), but the combination of 
the three in practicable form for the special purpose of producing 
a gaseous product suitable either for fuel or illumination, does not 
appear to have been made or suggested prior to the date of the 
first publication of what has since come to be known as the Lowe 
process. 

That this combination of elements constitutes a material im¬ 
provement in the practice of the art of water-gas manufacture, the 
committee is unanimously agreed. That it has demonstrated its 
great utility, is proved beyond question by the facts of history 
accessible to all. 

A glance at these will show that the Lowe process, or this 
process, with unessential modifications in details , since the year 
1874, when the first plant was put in operation at Phoenixville, Pa., 
(where it has remained in continuous use to the present), has been 
introduced into more than 100 cities and towns in the United States 
and Canada (a list of localities where water-gas is in use is hereto 
appended and marked Appendix K). 

Measured, therefore, by the standard of success, it has certainly 
earned the right to claim a respectful consideration by the 
members of an institution which has ever been conspicuous for its 
devotion to the utilitarian side of science; and, it would be a grave 
injustice to seek to evade the inference, to which the inventor, in 
the absence of direct evidence to the contrary, is rightfully entitled, 
that the success of the invention is the best evidence of its value. 

Leaving the facts presented in the foregoing summary of the 
history of water-gas, and of Mr. T. S. C. 'Lowe’s connection there¬ 
with, to speak for themselves, it may be proper for the committee 
to direct attention to the numerous appliances and devices for 
utilizing water-gas for heating and illumination, which formed so 
interesting a portion of the exhibit of the Lowe Manufacturing 
Company, at the late exhibition, and which showed much ingenuity, 
and an appreciation of the impbrtance of attention to minor details, 
which is praiseworthy. 


20 


These matters are fully treated of in the report of the Judges of 
Group 12 A, and the committee refers to this for much information 
that may properly supplement this report. (An extract from the 
report of Judges of Group 12 A, embracing the portion relating to 
the Lowe Manufacturing Company’s exhibits, is hereto appended 
and marked Appendix L. 

In conclusion, the committee has acted in the belief that it would 
best perform the duty assigned to it, by placing at the service of 
the judges a concise summary of the development of the art and 
practice of water-gas making, exhibiting as clearly as possible the 
part which the inventions of Mr. Lowe have played therein, leaving 
the judges free to take such action as they may see fit. 

Respectfully submitted, by 

Wm. H. Wahl, Chairman. 

Wm. H. Greene, 

Wm. D. Marks. 

Samuel P. Sadtler, 

Lemuel Stephens, 

Committee. 


Philadelphia , May /, 1886. 


APPENDICES 








23 


Appendix A. 

John Ibbetson. —1824. 



A —Charging Door of Furnace.’ H— Charging Door of Retorts. 

B —Blast-Pipe. E, E —Ash Doors. 

C —Lighting Door. F, G —Steam Pipes. 

D —Ash-pit Door. i^Gas Escape Pipe. 

J\ J —Flues. ! K —Cleaning Door. 





































24 


Appendix B. 

Alexandre Selli^ue.—1835. 





a —Retorts. 
b —Water Receivers. 
c —Water Supply Pipes. 
d —Gas Escape Pipes. 
e —Fire-Grate. 
f /,/—Removable Covers. 
h —Upper Fire-Grate. 
i, l —Ash-Pits. 
m —Brick-work of Furnace. 
0 —Sight-Holes. 
q —Division for Draft. 
r —Smoke Stack. 




























































































































25 


Appendix C. 

Alexander Cruckshanks.—1839. 



A —Steam Boiler. 

B —Hot Water Tank. 

C— Cold Water Supply. 

D —Retort. 

E —Steam Pipe to Retort. 

F —Gas Escape Pipe. 

G —Retort-Charging Chamber. 
//—Fire-Place. 

/—Charging Hoppers. 

K— Fire-plate. 


L —Ash-pit. 

M— Blast Pipes. 

N— Refuse Chamber. 
O —Refuse Cistern. 

P —Refuse Box. 

, Q —Main Flue. 

R —Chimney. 

T -—Water Heater. 
U— Gas Main. 

V— Charging Valve. 
W— Charging Cover. 























































Appendix D. 

J. Milton Sanders.—1858. 



A —L-Shaped Retorts charged with Oak Charcoal and heated to incan¬ 
descence. 

(. Material—Cast Iron.) 

B —Inverted Syphons delivering melted rosin from Tank to Retort A. 

D —Atomizers delivering superheated Steam from Pipe E into Retort^, 
with melted rosin. 

A 1 —Pipe terminating in Drip-Pipes G, delivering Gas into Hydraulic 
Main H. 

J —Furnace. 

K —Grates. 

L —Ash-Pit with Water-Trough. 

M— Flues. 

N— Bed-Tiles supporting Retorts A. 

O —Fire-Clay Sheath to protect Retorts from fusion. 

Pand Q —Flues provided with Dampers R and S, leading to Chimney 
through Flues T and 6, containing Steam Pipe E for super¬ 
heating purposes, and supporting and heating Rosin Tank C. 































































































































27 

Appendix D. 

Philadelphia, February i, 1886. 

Dr. Wm. H. Wahl, Dear Sir :— I send herewith a drawing of the water- 
gas plant that was in use at the Girard House in this city in 1859 an d i860, 
and also at Aurora, Ind., Laconia, N. H., about the same date. 

The process was known as “ Sanders Water-Gas.” 

Besides the generating apparatus, a dry lime purifier, a washer and con¬ 
densing pipes were used. These were of the same construction as those then 
used for coal-gas works at the Philadelphia and at the Manhattan Gas Works, 
New York City. 

The fuel used was from the city coal-gas works, rosin for hydro-carbon 
and charcoal of oak and maple for carbon in retorts. Cost of materials and 
labor, twenty-eight to thirty cents per 1,000 cubic feet. The temperature and 
heat contraction of retort made the cost much greater, and defeated economy. 

Yours truly, 


(signed) 


S. Lloyd Wiegand. 


28 


Appendix E. (/) 

G. M. Harris.— 1871. 



Double-Retort System. 


Claims. —(1.) A retort made of fire-clay, or other suitable material, the 
form of which is produced by the combination of two retorts into one double 
retort, consisting of an upper and lower chamber, each of suitable size, the 
division or partition between said chambers being perforated with a number 
of holes about one-half inch in diameter, more or less. 

(2.) A combination of a lower chamber, containing a false bottom of per¬ 
forated tile, in connection with the upper chamber having a perforated bottom 
or septum. 




































































































b tQ ^ 


29 


Appendix E. (2) 

G. M. Harris and Horatio G. Allen.—1872. 




Retorts. 

Furnace of same. 

•Top Mouth-Pieces of same. 
Bottom Mouth-Pieces of 
same. 

F, A—Steam Pipes. 


G, G —Steam Distributors. 

H, H -—Passages in Furnace—Wall 

for Superheating Steam. 
K, A—Fire-Brick Wall. 

L, L —Main Flues. 

M, M— -Circularly-Arranged Flues. 

















































































































Appendix F. 

George Lowe.—1831. 



A —Generator. E —Induction Pipe. 

B —Fire-Grate. .F—Eduction Pipe. 

C, D —Covers. G —Hopper. 











































3i 


Appendix G. 

John and Thos. N. Kirkham.—1852. 



b —Charging Doors. 
c , d —Cleaning Doors. 
<?,/, ft —Steam Pipes. 


g —Blast-Heating Tubes. 
n, p —Gas Main. 

0 —Seal. 

q —Escape Valve. 























































































































32 


Appendix H. 
Pages’ Gazogene.—1860. 


E —Annular Blast Passage. 
/—Cylinder of Fire-Clay. 
i —Partition in same. 
P^-Blast Tuyeres. 

J —Cleaning Doors. 

S —Charging Platform. 

K —Charging Door. 


L —Handle for same. 
M —Cleaning Doors. 
N, P —Steam Pipe. 

Q —Gas Main. 

T —Blast Pipe. 

R —Blast Valve. 

R '~Blast Flue. 

























































33 


Appendix I. 

C. W. & F. SIEMENS’ IMPROVEMENTS in FURNACES. ABSTRACT 

B. P., No. 972. 1863. 

“Our invention consists of treating' coal or other carbonaceous matter for 
its conversion into coke and combustible gases, either for heating or for illu¬ 
minating purposes, by means of furnaces of such peculiar construction that 
not only is the separation of the gaseous from the solid or carbonaceous con¬ 
stituents of the coal, and in some cases the subsequent total conversion of 
its carbonaceous constituents into combustible gases, effected in a continuous 
manner without losing either the combustible gases evolved, or the heat 
residing on the coke while in a state of incandescence; but also the separa¬ 
tion of the gaseous constituents is effected with such uniformity, and at such 
constant temperature, that the coal or other material operated upon, is con¬ 
verted into gases of considerable heating and even illuminating powers, and 
into coke of superior hardness and value to that produced in the ordinary 
gas retorts or breeze ovens ; in addition to which, substances such as wood, 
lignite, peat and poor coal may also be made available for the production of 
comparatively rich combustible and illuminating gases. 

“ Our invention also consists in so arranging our apparatus that those gases 
and vapors which are usually formed when the process of distillation is car¬ 
ried on at the temperature heretofore employed, such as light carburetted 
hydrogen and olefiant gas, the vapor of tar, ammonia, carbonic acid, and 
others, become decomposed and reformed under the influence of a white 
heat into another class of carburetted hydrogens of great value for illumin¬ 
ating and heating purposes, such as acethylene, propylene, and analogous 
compounds. 

“ In carrying the above described general principles of our invention into 
practice, various modifications in the form and arrangement of the furnace 
may be adopted, according to the puipose to which the products are to be 
applied. On the accompanying drawing are shown those arrangements 
which we prefer to employ. 

“ Figs, i, 2 and j>, show an arrangement of our improved furnace in which 
the coal or carbonaceous matter is converted into combustible gases and 
coke. Fig. I shows a sectional elevation on line X, X, Fig. 2 ; Fig. 2 shows 
a sectional plan on line Y, Y, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a section on line 
Z, Z, Fig. 2. The same letters of reference indicate the same parts on each 
of these figures, as also in the figures representing other arrangements.’’ 

{Fig. 1 only is shown herewith, being sufficiently explanatory without the 
others.—C om.) 

“ A is a vertical chamber or retort, built of fire-brick, and made of con¬ 
siderable depth in proportion to its breadth. At the top, the chamber is pro¬ 
vided with a hopper B, through which the coal or combustible matter 
employed is introduced at short intervals, and which hopper is closed at the 
top by means of the cover C, dipping into the trough b filled with water, thus 
forming a hydraulic joint, and preventing the escape of the gases. In order 
also to prevent the escape of the gases, when the cover C is removed for the 

*** 


34 


4 


Appendix /. 

C. W. and F. Siemens’ Improvement in Furnaces.—1863. 







































































































































35 


purpose of filling in the coal, a valve or flap D is provided, which is closed 
when the cover C is removed, and opened when the same is replaced. The 
sides of the chamber or retort A are made to widen out somewhat towards 
the lower end, so as to facilitate the gradual passage downwards of the coal 
or carbonaceous matter at the bottom. The chamber or retort is formed into 
a shallow basin Q, containing water, and an opening is provided at the side 
below the water line, as shown, for withdrawing the coke from time to time 
without admitting atmospheric air into the chamber or retort. On each side 
of the chamber or retort A are formed two generators, F, F 1 , f or chambers 
filled with loosely piled fire-brick or other refractory materials. These 
“regenerators” communicate, through a number of small passages, f, f f x , f x 
(which also constitute a part of the regenerators) and openings a, a 1 , with the 
lower part of the chamber a, and they are also made to communicate by 
means of the passages G, G 1 , and the reversing damper H, alternately with 
the pipe P for conducting away the combustible gases, and with the external 
atmosphere through the pipe O. The current of the air and gases through 
the furnace is induced in this case by a steam jet M, the steam being produced 
in a series of water pipes, m, m 1 ', arranged in the lower part of the regenera¬ 
tors, and supplied with water by the feed apparatus m 2 , or from an ordinary 
steam boiler. 

“ Flues * * * * are formed in the end walls of the chamber or retort 

A, communicating with the upper part of the latter by means of the openings 
a 2 , a 2 , for the purpose of conducting away the gases generated in the upper 
part of the chamber; these passages * * * * are made to communicate 
by means of pipes, either with a separate gas pipe K ’, or with the same gas 
pipe into which the lower gases pass. ' 

“ The action of this furnace takes place in the following manner: In com¬ 
mencing operations, the chamber or retort A is firstly filled with coke to the 
height of the openings a , a 1 ; fuel in a state of incandescence is thereupon 
introduced, and upon this is thrown fresh fuel until the chamber is full. A 
current of air and steam induced by the steam jet M, or by a jet of air only, 
or of oxygen with or without steam, now enter, say, through the generator F, 
and passing down the passages /, /, enters the chamber A, through the 
openings a, a, in the divided current. Here the air and steam are made to 
transverse the mass of incandescent fuel towards the apertures a 1 , a 1 , and in 
doing so they become converted into carbonic oxide and hydrogen, which, if 
the temperature be sufficiently high, again combine to form the rich com¬ 
bustible gases before alluded to. These pass through the apertures a 1 , a 1 , 
into the passages f 1 , f 1 , and down through the regenerator F l , imparting to 
these the greater portion of their heat, and depositing in the same particles of 
uncombined carbon or soot, before entering the gas channel through the 
passage G 1 and valve H. By the withdrawal of coke from the bottom, and 
the introduction of fresh coal or carbonaceous matter through the hopper B 
at short intervals, the coal passes slowly down through the chamber oi retort 
A, and fresh portions of the same are thus continually brought into the 
intense heat at a, a 1 , whilst the coke or residuum of the carbonaceous matter 
passes slowly down into the basin Q, whence it is removed. 


“ When the combustible gases have passed through the chambers f f 1 , and 
the regenerator F 1 , fora sufficient length of time for the same to have become 
highly heated, the direction of the current is changed by means of the valve 
or reversing damper H , and atmospheric air together with steam now enters 
the chamber or retort A, through the generator F 1 , and passages/’ 1 ,/’ 1 , taking 
up the heat therefrom, that has been previously absorbed from the combustible 
gases passing through in the reverse direction, as also burning the soot that 
was deposited, and, on traversing the mass of highly heated fuel, the rich 
combustible.gases that are thereby formed, as before mentioned, are now 
made to pass through the apertures a, a, passages f f and regenerator F 
into the gas pipe P. At the same time as the coal or carbonaceous matter in 
the upper part of the chamber or retort A is subjected to a less degree of heat 
than below, the ordinary hydrocarbons and other vapors are there formed, 
and if it be desired to employ these gases separately from the gases formed 
below, or to mix the same subsequently, the chamber A, is provided with the 
flues and apertures a 2 , a 2 , as shown, through which these upper gases 
are conducted away into the gas pipes J and K. If, however, it be desired 
not to produce any tars or oils, but to convert the whole of the gases and 
vapors evolved into the rich combustible gases produced at a more elevated 
temperature, then the apertures a 2 , a 2 , and passages /, /, are dispensed 
with, and the whole of the gases or vapors formed in the upper part of the 
chamber are made to pass down through the apertures a, a 1 . The coke 
descending into the water below in a heated condition, causes a certain 
evaporation, and the steam so formed, in ascending through the column 
of incandescent carbon, is decomposed, forming hydrogen and carbonic 
oxide, which combustible gases pass away with the rest. If the heat 
be carried to whiteness, which is accomplished by withdrawing the coke 
slowly, a combination will take place between the carbonic oxide formed 
below and the carburetted hydrogen formed above the exits a , a 1 , and rich 
illuminating gases, such as acetylene, propylene, and analogous compounds 
are produced. If these are intended to be used for purposes of illumination , 
the presence of nitrogen should be avoided , and pure oxygen a 7 id vapor be 
introduced at M." (Italics are the committee’s.) 


37 


Appendix J. 

(copy.) 

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 


THADDEUS S. C. LOWE, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. 

Improveinent in Processes of and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Illumin¬ 
ating or Heating Gas. 

Specification forming part of Letters-Patent No. 167 , 847 , dated September a:, 1875; application 

filed March 10, 1875. 

To all whom it may concern : 

Be it known that I, Tiiaddeus S. C. Lowe, of Norristown, Montgomery 
county, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Processes of and 
Apparatus for Producing and Using Hydrocarbon and other Gas for Heating 
and Illuminating Purposes, and other purposes, of which the following is a 
specification : 

In the annexed drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure i 
represents a vertical section of the complete apparatus, and Fig. 2 a plan of 
the same. 

a is the primary gas generator, which consists of a casing, b , made of 
boiler iron, or other suitable material, and lined with fire-bricks c, or other 
suitable refractory materials, d is a superheater, for preparing steam for de¬ 
composition. This also consists of a casing of iron or other suitable material 
lined with fire-bricks or other suitable refractory materials e, the inclosed space 
being filled with loosely-laid fire-bricks, or other suitable refractory materials, 
resting on a perforated arch,/", of like materials. At the bottom of the super¬ 
heater d is a combustion-chamber, g. h is a tight-fitting valve, to be raised 
or lowered at pleasure, i is a heat-restorer, which forms the stack for carry¬ 
ing off the products of combustion. This consists of an ordinary iron stack 
of increased dimension, with heads j at top and bottom, in which heads are 
inserted ordinary boiler-tubes, k is a tube through which there is forced 
into the stack i atmospheric air, which circulates around the tubes in said 
stack, and issues out at the lower end of the stack in a heated condition, 
thence passing through tube / to support combustion in generater a , and in 
the combustion-chamber g of the superheater d. m is an elevated tank for 
holding petroleum or other hydrocarbon oils. The tank m is supported by a 
column, (not shown,) or in any convenient manner, n is a hopper, provided 
with a closely-fitting bell or cone valve, o, and also a closely-fitting lid, p. 
q is a tube for conveying gas from generator a to the boiler r, which is an 
upright tubular boiler, with chambers s and t at top and bottom, respectively. 
u is a tube for conveying gases from chamber t to the washer v. w is a dia¬ 
phragm, forming an incline plane in the washer v. This inclined plane 
should be rough or corrugated on its under side, x is a tube for conveying 
gases from washer v. y is an ordinary gas-scrubber, filled with coke or 











3 


3 


Appendix J. 
Lowe.— 1875. 



Vertical Sectional View 



















































































































































































































Fig. 2. Plan. 


39 



Appendix J. 
Lowe.— 1875. 
































40 


other suitable materials, z is a tube for conveying gases into holder a', or 
other points of storage, or directly to any place of consumption. b' is a well 
for catching condensed oils or tar, should any exist after leaving the genera¬ 
tor. c' is a tank for holding petroleum or other hydrocarbon oils, and d' is a 
pump for forcing the same, as required, into the elevated tank m. e' is a 
closely-fitting valve, to be raised or lowered at pleasure for regulating the 
flow of carbonic oxide through the pipe f into the combustion-chamber g. 
The generator a is also provided with a closely-fitting door, (not shown in 
the drawing,) communicating with the ash-pit g'. 

When it is desired to put this apparatus into operation, I build a fire on 
the grate-bars in generator a, the valves e' and h being raised to allow of the 
free escape of the products of combustion through the open brick-work in 
superheater d, and up through the tubes in the heat-restoring stack i. 

I now gradually introduce into generator a any desired solid carbonaceous 
substances, preferring either anthracite or bituminous coals, beside which, 
however, may be mentioned any kind of wood, all kinds of woody rubbish, 
finely-cut straw, coal-dust or slack, asphaltum, &c. 

In the meantime a fan-blower or other suitable apparatus is caused to 
force air through the tube k into the heat-restorer i, from which a sufficient 
quantity of warmed or heated air is admitted through the tubes l and h' , to 
cause moderate combustion on the grate-bars of the gas-generator a. As the 
thickness of fuel increases in generator a , and while it is being brought into 
an incandescent state, the carbonic acid which is caused by the union of 
oxygen and carbon, at the bottom of the generator, while passing up through 
the thickness of incandescent fuel, becomes recarbonized, and is thus con¬ 
verted into carbonic oxide. This highly-inflammable gas, in union with the 
sulphur of the coal and other impurities thrown off by the heat, leaves the 
generator a through the valve e / , and is discharged into the combustion- 
chamber^ through the opening i' . Air at the same time being admitted 
through tube j' into said chamber g, a flame ensues, producing an intense 
heat, the flame and hot products of combustion passing up through the open¬ 
ings in the arch f, and heating to bright redness the entire mass of inclosed 
open brick-work from bottom to top, the combustion-chamber g becoming 
white hot. In the meantime considerable heat, which ascends through the 
open tubes of the superheater d, being carried in the products of combustion, 
is absorbed by the air, which is forced in an opposite direction down the 
stack around the tubes, and is returned to the lower ends of the heated 
chambers^ and g' for supporting combustion in the generator a and the 
superheater d, thus lessening the length of time and amount of fuel required 
to produce the necessary heat in the different chambers. After the mass of 
fuel, several feet in thickness, in the generator a has become thoroughly in¬ 
candescent, the superheater d will also have become highly heated by the 
combustion of the (otherwise) waste gases passing from the generator a. I 
now shut off the air from both chambers^ and^ and close the valves e and 
h , and admit steam (preferably superheated) into the top of the superheater 
d through tube k' from boiler r. This steam passing down through the 
highly-heated brick-work, becomes intensely heated, and is thus conveyed 


4i 


into ash-pit g', through opening h' where, coming into contact with carbon, 
also highly heated, the decomposition of the steam immediately takes place, 
liberating the hydrogen, and producing a proportionate quantity of carbonic 
acid. This latter gas, however, is immediately changed to carbonic oxide by 
recarbonization while passing up through the thick mass of incandescent 
fuel, the decomposition being materially aided by the high degree of heat 
acquired by the steam in the superheater. 

At the same time that I thus admit steam into the superheater I also admit 
petroleum or other hydrocarbon oils in regulated quantities from tank m through 
cock in' , into funnel n', whence, passing in through a pipe, it drops directly onto 
the hot coals in generator a. Here the liquid hydrocarbon is immediately 
volatilized into a thick vapor, and at this point the highly-heated hydrogen, con¬ 
tinually emerging from the top of the coals, instantly, and before having 
time to lose in heat, intermingles with and thoroughly permeates every parti¬ 
cle of the volatile carbon, which has the effect, by this intense heat, to sepa¬ 
rate and so sub-divide the particles or globules of carbon, and at the same 
time surround them so uniformly with the proper proportion of hydrogen that 
the particles of carbon, not being able to come in contact with each other, 
are rendered entirely non-condensable, as has been proven by numerous 
experiments and long practical experience. These mixed gases, in their 
highly-heated condition, are now continually being carried off through tube 
q and enter chamber s at the top end of boiler r, where they pass down 
through the numerous tubes contained in said boiler, and have the effect to 
superheat the steam in the upper part of the boiler, as well as to rapidly gen¬ 
erate steam at o ', below the water-line, and still farther down to heat the 
water as it is gradually pumped into the boiler through pipe p'. The gases, 
now considerably cooled, leave the tubes and enter chamber t, and thence, 
through tube u, into the wash-box v, where they pass under the inclined 
plane w, underwater, in which any soot, dust, or other impurity is deposited. 
From the washer the gas next enters the lower end of scrubber y, and, after 
passing up through the contents thereof, is conveyed through the tube z to 
holder a' or other points of storage, or directly to any place of consumption. 

While generating gas, as above described, a test-burner will readily indi¬ 
cate the quality or candle-pbwer of the gas being produced, and the requisite 
carbon or hydrogen can easily be regulated by regulating the quantity of oil 
admitted to the generator a or of steam to the superheater d. 

After a time, and when a large quantity of gas has been produced and 
stored, the heat will b6 so much reduced in both the superheater d and the 
generator a that the steam will no longer decompose, (although both cham¬ 
bers will still retain a dull-red heat,) the non-decomposition of the steam 
being at once detected by the smokiness of the flame at the test-burner, 
which, for want of hydrogen, gives a thick, dark-red smoky flame through 
an ordinary four or five feet burner. Such gas is known as “ petroleum gas, 
and condenses rapidly in consequence of not being mixed with a proper pro¬ 
portion of hydrogen in the manner above described. 

Whenever it is desired to restore the heat to the fuel in the generator a 
and the superheater d, the hydrocarbon oil and steam are both stopped off, 


42 


and valves e' and h are opened, and atmospheric air is again forced into ash¬ 
pit g, and combustion-chamber g as before described, and now a few min¬ 
utes’ time suffices to bring both chambers to the required heat, after which a 
large amount of hydrocarbon gas is again produced as before. 

When a steady flow of gas is desirable, (as in the cases where small 
holders are employed,) I employ two sets or more of generators, according 
to the requirements. 

The gas from all the generators may be passed through and caused to 
generate steam in one boiler, r; so, also, one heat-restorer, i, can be made 
to carry off the hot products of combustion from all the generators and super¬ 
heaters, and thus serve to heat the air which is to support combustion in 
each, thus accomplishing the heating with much rapidity and economy, as 
above set forth. 

The forms of apparatus which may be used in carrying out my above- 
described processes are various, and I have prepared many drawings of 
modified forms of apparatus for carrying out said process; but I prefer the 
form shown, it being in every respect simple and easy of management. 

Instead of employing oil in the carbonizing process, as above described, 
other substances containing volatile carbon may be employed, such as rich 
bituminous coal, rosin, cotton-seed, ordinary coal-tar, asphaltum, fats of all 
kinds, residuum from oil-refineries, etc. Care, however, should be taken 
when using any kind of solid carbon that the same is evenly spread on the 
top surface of the heated fuel or material in the generator a , in such a manner 
that the hot gases, while emerging from the top of said hot fuel, will come in 
contact with such solid or lumpy carbon, and thereby assist in its volatili¬ 
zation. 

In case of using bituminous coal, it would be desirable to use some addi¬ 
tional volatile carbon oil, to add to the hydrogen being generated from the 
steam. 

If impure carbons are used for carbonizing the hydrogen, the usual puri¬ 
fiers will be necessary; but when petroleum and other pure carbons are 
employed, a purifier is not required. 

In many cases it will be found advantageous to admit the steam (prefer¬ 
ably highly heated) through pipe in 2 at the bottom of generator a, causing it 
to pass up through the incandescent coals and mingle with the carbon gas in 
the top of the generator, as before described, and then to pass the mixed 
mass through connecting-flue f to the bottom of superheater d, and up 
through the mass of heated brick-work therein contained, and to be dis¬ 
charged through opening n 2 at the top of superheater d, from which opening 
the gases may be conveyed to the washer v, either directly or after having 
been previously passed through the boiler r, for the purpose of utilizing its 
heat in the generation of steam, or after having been employed for super¬ 
heating steam or air, or both. 

The principal advantage gained by passing the mass of gases from gen¬ 
erator a through the highly-heated fire-bricks in the superheater d is a more 
thorough decomposition of the elements which, having been passed up 
through the incandescent coal in the generator for too long a time, might 


43 


contain considerable undecomposed vapor, which would be converted into a 
fixed gas by being subjected to a higher heat, such as the superheater 
contains. 

When it is desired to superheat the steam preparatory to its decompo¬ 
sition, and at the same time carry on the process of more permanently fixing 
the mixed gases evolved in the generator, it is necessary to use, in connection 
with the generator, two of the chambers described as superheater d —to wit, 
one for the superheating of the steam, and the other for the fixing of the 
gases, both chambers being similar in construction, and similarly arranged 
with respect to the generator, and similarly heated by direct internal combus¬ 
tion of a portion of the gases from generator a , and, in this case, the mixed 
gases from the generator, instead of being led off to and through the tubes of 
boiler r, as described, or, instead of being led off from the generator directly 
to the washer, are first passed through the additional chamber or superheater 
last above referred to. 

The heat-restorer i may, instead of serving to heat the air-blast, as before 
described, be used as a boiler for generating steam, and may either remain in 
its present position or be set adjacent to the superheater, where the hot pro¬ 
ducts of combustion may be conveyed to it in the proper manner. 

In cases where gas extremely rich in carbon is desired, the same will be 
best produced by omitting the steam and generating the gas from oils alone, 
using the generator a either alone or in conjunction with the superheater. 

I claim— 

1. For the manufacture of illuminating and heating gas, the process which 
consists of dropping or otherwise admitting in limited quantities, continuously 
or intermittently, hydrocarbon oils or other carbonaceous substances, liquid 
or solid, onto the top of a thick mass of coal or other carbonaceous substance, 
in a state of incandescence, in a close chamber previously heated by direct 
internal combustion, with or without the introduction of steam, and then, for 
the purpose of superheating and fixing the gases of said chamber, passing 
them from said chamber into and through a second chamber, which also has 
been previously heated by direct internal combustion, substantially as set 
forth. 

2. The process for producing an illuminating gas, which consists of super¬ 
heating steam, by passing it through a chamber previously heated by direct 
internal combustion, then causing said steam to pass through a mass of coal 
or other carbonaceous substance, in a state of incandescence, in a close gen¬ 
erating-chamber, to decompose the steam, and afterward, for the purpose of 
still further heating the gases of said generating-chamber, and thereby pro¬ 
ducing a more fixed gas, passing the gases from said generating-chamber 
into and through another superheating-chamber, which has been previously 
heated by direct internal combustion, substantially as set forth. 

3. The combination of the generator a, superheater d, the heat-restorer z, 
and means for forcing air through the pipe k, around the tubes of the heat- 
restorer z, through pipes /, h' t and/, into the chamber for generating and 
securing intense combustion in said chamber^, substantially as set forth. 




44 

4. The combination of the generator a, superheater d, heat-restorer i y 
elevated oil-tank m, the upright tubular boiler r, with their several connecting- 
pipes and other appurtenant parts, as described, constituting apparatus for 
rapidly evolving illuminating-gas, and, fixing the same in its gaseous 
condition, substantially as set forth. 

5. The combination of the generator a , superheater d ,* heat-restorer z, 
elevated oil-tank m, upright tubular boiler r, wash-box v, scrubber y, with 
their several connecting-pipes and other appurtenant parts, as described,, 
constituting apparatus for rapidly evolving illuminating and heating gas, fix¬ 
ing the same in its gaseous condition, and purifying the same preparatory to 
storage or immediate use, substantially as set forth. 

T. S. C. LOWE. 

Witnesses: 

R. B. Sanderson, 

Thos. A. Burtt. 


45 


Appendix K. 


CITIES AND TOWNS USING WATER-GAS PROCESSES. 


Arizona. 


Illinois. 


Tucson, . . . Lowe. 


California. 

Oakland, . . . Lowe. 

San Francisco, . . “ 

San Jose, ... “ 

Colorado. 

Georgetown, . . Hanlon. 


Connecticut. 

Danbury, . 
Middletown, 

New Haven, 
Wallingford, 
Waterbury, 


. Edgerton. 
Lowe. 
Hanlon-Ledley. 
. Edgerton. 
Lowe. 


District of Columbia. 
Washington, . Lowe, Granger. 
Florida. 


Pensacola, . . Edgerton. 

St. Augustine, . . Lowe. 

Georgia. 

Atlanta, . . . Lowe. 

Savannah,... “ 

Illinois. 

Bloomington, . . Lowe. 

Chicago, . Lowe, Springer, 
Granger, Flannery. 
Decatur, . . . Lowe. 

Lake, . . • Granger. 

jiap»ria, Lowe. 

Pullman, . 


Quincy, . 

Granger. 

Sterling, . 

Lowe. 

Indiana. 

Indianapolis, 

Lowe. 

Greensburgh, 

“ 

Kokomo, . 

u 

Iowa. 

Burlington, 

Granger. 

Kansas. 

Newton, . 

Springer. 

Wyandotte, 

Lowe. 

Kentucky. 

Frankfort,. 

Lowe. 

Lexington, 

“ 

Louisville, 

u 

Newport, . 

(( 

Louisiana. 

New Orleans, . Oil and Lowe. 

Maryland. 

Baltimore, 

Lowe. 

Frederick, 

u 

Hagerstown, 

it 

Massachusetts. 

Athol, 

Granger. 

Charleston, 

<< 

Cottage City, . 

Loomis. 

Lynn, 

Granger. 

Waltham, . 

Mackenzie. 






46 


Massachusetts. 

Worcester, . . Granger. 

Michigan. 

Battle Creek, . . Lowe. 

Flint, . Hanlon-Ledley. 
Marshall, . . . Lowe. 

Niles, . . . Springer. 

Minnesota. 

Duluth, . . . Flannery. 

Mississippi. 

Vicksburg, . . Lowe. 

Missouri. 

St. Louis, . . . Lowe. 

Nebraska. 

Omaha, . . . Lowe. 

New Hampshire . 

Dover, . . . Lowe. 

Keene, ... “ 


Laconia, . 

New Jersey. 


Atlantic City, 

Hanlon. 

Cape May, 

Lowe. 

Hoboken, . 

Wilkinson. 

Jersey City, 

Lowe, Flannery, 
Granger. 

New Brunswick, . Lowe, 

Granger. 

Passaic, 

Hanlon-Ledley. 

Paterson, . 

Lowe. 

Plainfield, . 

i( 

Trenton, . 

ti 

Vineland, . 

Mackenzie. 

New 

York. 

Attica, 

Lowe. 

Batavia, . 

English 

Binghamton, 

. Granger. 

Clyde, 

Lowe. 


New York. 


Cohoes, 

. Granger. 

Cooperstown, 

Lowe. 

Coney Island, . 

. Granger. 

Fort Plain, 

Lowe. 

Garden City, 

Mackenzie. 

Glen Island, 

. Granger. 

Goshen, 

~ . Averill. 

Haverstraw, 

Lowe. 

Middletown, 

Averill. 

Newburg, 

Lowe. 

New York City, 

Tessie du Mo- 

tay, Jermanow§ki, Wilkinson. 

Nyack, 

Lowe. 

Plattsburgh, 

4 4 

Port Henry, 

a 

Port Jervis, 

. Granger. 

Poughkeepsie, . 

Allen-Harris. 

Rochester, 

Lowe. 

Rondout, . 

Allen-Harris. 

Saratoga, . 

Lowe. 

Staten Island, 

. Flannery. 

Utica, 

. Granger. 

Yonkers, . Tessie du Motay, 


Lowe. 

North Carolina. 

Charlotte, 

Lowe. 

Newberne, 

ii 

Ohio. 

Elyria, 

Lowe. 

Norwalk, . 

. Flannery. 

Pennsylvania. 

Alleghany, 

. Granger. 

Beaver Falls, . 

Lowe. * 

Bethlehem, 

a 

Carlisle, . 

i ( 


Catasauqua, 

Chambersburg, 








47 


Pennsylvania. 

Columbia, 
Conshohocken, 

Erie, 

Falls Schuylkil 
Girardville, 

Harrisburg, 

Hazelton, 

Honesdale, 
Huntingdon, 

Lancaster, 

Mauch Chunk, 
Middletown, 

Mount Joy, 
Phoenixville, 


South Carolina. 

Lowe. Columbia, 

“ | Tennessee. 

Granger. Chattanooga, 

Lowe. Knoxville, 

( ( I r-r^ 

lexas. 

“ Waco, 


Pierson. 

Lowe. 


Granger. 
Pierson. 
Lowe. 


Lowe. 

Lowe. 


Vermont. 

Brattleboro, 

Burlington, . . “ 

— ,,v '- Montpelier, . Hanlon-Ledley. 
Granger. „ . . * 

& Rutland, . . . Lowe. 

F1 T. ery ,St Albans, . . Granger. 

St. Johnsbury, . . Lowe. 


Lowe. 


(First Lowe Works.) 

Virginia. 


Pittston, ... “ 

; Norfolk, . 

Granger. 

Pottsville, ... “ 

West Virginia. 

Reading, ... “ 

Charlestown, 

Lowe. 

Schuylkill Haven, . “ 

Wisconsin. 


Scranton, . . “ 

Appleton, 

Lowe. 

Shippensburg, . . “ 

Canada. 


Stroudsburgh, . . “ 

Brockville, 

Lowe. 

Tamaqua, ... “ 

Guelph, 

<< 

Waynesboro’, . . “ 

Kingston, . 

u 

West Manayunk, . “ 

Sherbrooke, 

Granger. 

Wilkesbarre, Lowe, Granger. 

St. Hyacinthe, . 

“ 

Williamsport, . . Lowe. 

Toronto, . 

Lowe. 

York, . . . Granger. 

Cuba. 



Havana, . 

Lowe. 


[Note. —The committee is indebted to Mr. G. W. Graeff, Jr., editor of 
Light , Heat and Power , for many of the data in the foregoing list. Several 
of the processes named therein differ from that of Mr. Lowe in unessential 
details only, such as the disposition of the several parts of the apparatus with 
reference to each other, the manner of introducing oil or steam, etc.— Com.] 






48 


Appendix L. 

REPORT OF THE JUDGES OF *THE “ NOVELTIES ” EXHIBITION ON 
THE LOWE WATER-GAS EXHIBIT, NOVEMBER, 1885. 


The exhibit of this company formed a very complete exposition 
of the capabilities of water-gas for heating, lighting and the gen¬ 
eration of power. It embraced a gas works, complete for the 
generation of water-gas, having a capacity of 5,000 cubic feet per 
hour. 

The adaptability of the product as a fuel was exhibited in a 
variety of ways. It was used exclusively in the restaurant for all 
the uses in cooking, baking, etc., for which solid fuel is commonly 
used, and by various exhibitors throughout the exhibition for 
heating, baking, driving gas engines, and other special uses. 

For the utilization of gas for fuel purposes, the company ex¬ 
hibited a variety of ovens, cooking ranges, open-fire stoves, heaters, 
etc., of special designs. 

In a suite of three rooms, occupied by this company, a very 
attractive display was made of the adaptability of water-gas for 
domestic lighting and heating. Its display embraced an open 
fire-place of the usual pattern, various forms of fixtures adapted for a 
special system of incandescent lighting (which will be treated of 
later), several forms of combined heating, lighting and ventilating 
devices, etc., etc. 

The general purpose of these exhibitors was to show how, 
through a single line of pipe laid in the streets of cities and towns, 
a gas may be distributed, which will serve as an efficient and 
economical source from which light, heat and power may be ob¬ 
tained. In respect to the variety of applications shown, and th% 
ingenuity displayed in the design of the various devices used, and 
the mechanical skill and tastefulness exhibited in the construction 
the exhibit of the company was highly commendable. 

Taken collectively, it is safe to say, that, in respect to complete¬ 
ness and variety, it far surpassed any exposition of the capabilities 
of water-gas ever before attempted. 

The time at the disposal of the judges has not been sufficient to 




49 


enable them to make a careful examination of the question of 
originality in connection with manyfeaturesof this interesting exhibit. 

Water-gas made by the interaction of steam and carbon at a 
high temperature, and composed essentially of hydrogen and car¬ 
bonic oxide, has been known and employed for many years. It is 
only, however, of late years, that the difficulties in the way of its 
successful commercial introduction have been practically overcome. 

Generally, the*improvements that have brought about this result 
consist of the adoption of methods, whereby the waste of heat in 
the various steps of the manufacture is reduced to the minimum. 

The principal portion of this waste was, formerly, the large con¬ 
sumption of coal required for heating the contents of the generator 
to the proper temperature to effect the decomposition of the steam, 
the heat required for the production of the steam, and the heat 
carried off by the water-gas after its formation. 

These elements of waste have been largely reduced by the adop¬ 
tion of devices, whereby the products of incomplete combustion in 
the generator are regenerated, and caused to impart the heat de¬ 
rived from their subsequent combustion to such heat-storing mate¬ 
rials, as fire-brick, etc , suitably placed in a regenerative chamber, 
or superheater, forming the upper portion of the generator, or 
connected with it, and through which the steam is caused to pass 
on its way to the generator. 

Further, by using other portions of the waste heat, to heat the 
air used for blowing up the charge of coal in the generator, and to 
generate the steam required in the process. By these and other 
improvements in the construction of the apparatus employed, and 
in the details of the operation, the quality and quantity of water- 
gas produced from a ton of coal have been, respectively, consider¬ 
ably increased and improved, and the cost of its production so 
notably reduced that the problem of introducing it as a fuel for 
domestic and industrial purposes can no longer be considered as 
visionary. 

It is proper to state in this place, that, with a number of the 
improvements above noted, and which have substantially con¬ 
tributed to the practical success of water-gas manufacture, the 
name of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, of Norristown, is honorably associ¬ 
ated, and a number of patents embodying the same have been 
issued to him, which are accessible for reference. 


50 


The devices in the form of ovens, heaters, ranges, stoves, etc., 
which are embraced in the exhibit of tho Lowe Manufacturing 
Company, are in great variety, and are admirably adapted to serve 
their intended purposes. 

On the general question of the desirability of gaseous fuel, there 
can be but dne opinion. It dispenses with the trouble and annoy¬ 
ance of hauling and carrying coal, and with the removal of dirt and 
ashes; it is at all times under perfect control; when not wanted it 
can instantly be extinguished and can instantly be made to give 
its maximum effect, so that, other things being equal, gaseous fuel 
possesses incontestable advantages over solid fuel. 

Respecting the availability of water-gas for this purpose on the 
score of economy, the Lowe Manufacturing Company claims to 
produce from a ton of coal 80,000 cubic feet of water-gas, at a cost 
of less than ten cents per 1,000. At these figures, twenty-eight 
pounds of anthracite coal would yield 1,000 cubic feet. 

The specific gravity of the Lowe Fuel-Gas, as determined by Dr. 
Ward, of the judges, is (at 62° F.) *552 (air = r). 

The 1,000 cubic feet would, therefore, weigh 42 01 pounds. As 
the theoretical yield of 100 pounds of pure anthracite would be 
228 22 pounds of pure gaseous products, the figures claimed to be 
obtained by the Lowe Manufacturing Company, would be sixty-six 
and two-thirds per cent, of the theoretical yield of pure carbon. This 
would leave but thirty-three and one-third per cent, to provide for 
the consumption of coal for heating the generator, for the production 
of steam, and the impurities of the coal. 

The judges had no opportunity to actually test the question by 
experiment, but they feel satisfied that the company’s estimate of 
production is too high. 

In processes analogous to this in general principles, a practical 
yield of from 40,000 to 45,000 cubic feet has been obtained, and the 
judges assume the lowest quantity here named as the safer one to 
proceed from. 

Dr. Greene, of the judges, made an analysis of the gas, taken 
on October 19th, with the following results: 


C0 2 , . . 
CO,. . . 

H, . . . 
N (by diff.), 


By Volume. 

By Weight. 

3-6 

9’3 

42*1 

69*3 

44'5 

5-2 

9-8 

i6‘2 

IOO’OO 

100-00 








5i 

The theoretical calorific equivalent is : 

Composition 

in Dec. of one Pound. Calor. Equiv . 


Nitrogen,.0-162 X o-o 

Carbonic acid, ..0-093 X o*o 

Carbonic oxide,.0*693 X 4325-4 = 2997-4 

Hydrogen,.0*052 X 62031-6 = 32257 


Calorific equivalent of Lowe gas in British heat units, = 6223-1 

Taking the yield of gas to be 40,000 cubic feet per ton of coal 
(.2,240 pounds), fifty-six pounds would be sufficient to yield 1,000 
cubic feet of gas, weighing, as above noted, 42 01 pounds, and 
having a theoretical heating effect of (42 01 X 6223 1) = 261 433 
units of heat. 

As, in the combustion of gaseous fuel, under favorable circum¬ 
stances, the only loss is from radiation, it is fair to assume that 
this loss will not exceed ten per cent. This will leave of the 
above, 235,289 units realizable in practice. 

Fifty-six pounds of coal would have a theoretical heating effect 
of 56 X 14,544 =5= 814,464 units, of which about fifty per cent, may 
be assumed to be realizable. 

This would leave, under ordinary circumstances, 407,232 units 
available in practice; from which it appears, under the ordinary 
conditions of practice, the fuel gas will produce fifty-three per 
cent, of the available heating effect of the coal used in making it. 

The company states that the cost of production will be less than 
ten cents per 1,000 cubjc feet We will take ten cents. Taking 
pea coal at $1.50 per ton, the fifty-six pounds will cost three and 
three-fourths cents, and, with the assumption of only fifty per cent, 
of the theoretical effect yielded, the figures would be doubled. 
When, therefore, solid fuel is utilized, as in ordinary steam 
generation, the relative cost of coal, and of the fuel-gas which may 
be obtained from it, under the above assumptions of cost, will be in 
favor of coal. 

This, however, is the conclusion from assumptions, which present 
the most unfavorable conditions for fuel-gas. For, in practice, the 
cheapest grades of coal cannot be used, and the cost of coal generally 
used for manufacturing and domestic purposes, may be assumed 
to be $4.50 per ton, which would make the cost of the fifty six pounds 
(above employed) equal to eleven and one-quarter cents, which, 







52 


when compared with the figure of ten cents, which we have pur¬ 
posely taken for the Lowe Fuel-Gas, shows that the fuel-gas can 
compete economically with solid fuel, where the cost of distribution 
is neglected. 

We should state here in justice to these exhibitors, that they 
claim to be able to produce fuel-gas considerably cheaper than ten 
cents per i ,000 feet. 

In all the above calculations and comparisons, it should be noted 
that the judges have presented the case of fuel-gas in the most 
unfavorable light, so that the conclusions above announced may be 
considered as an exhibit of the lowest economical results that should 
be attained in practice. For, it should be stated, that in ordinary 
practice, especially for domestic service, very much less than fifty 
per cent of its thermal value, is obtained from the combustion of 
coal. 

As, under these unfavorable assumptions, the results obtained 
exhibit a comparative economy in favor of fuel-gas, the friends of 
water-gas have every reason to be satisfied. 

Much stress has been laid by certain writers upon the poisonous 
effects of water-gas, due to the large percentage of carbon monoxide, 
which it contains, and which is held to constitute a serious objec¬ 
tion to its general introduction. This objection, the judges do not 
deem sufficient to warrant the condemnation of an agent which 
promises to serve so many useful purposes. The same objection 
was made to coal-gas, by those who opposed its first introduc¬ 
tion, and with as much justification as the opponents of water-gas 
have at the present. 

For the purpose of asphyxiation, either coal-gas or water-gas, 
will answer quite satisfactorily. It should be remembered, how¬ 
ever, that neither of these agents is intended to be breathed, and 
that the safeguards surrounding the distribution of gases are so 
perfect that accidents from accidental leakage are of the rarest 
occurrence. 

It is also easy to perfume the gas by slight additions of hydro¬ 
carbons, so that of one per cent, may be detected by the 

sense of smell. 

While, therefore, it is undoubtedly true that the toxic effects of 
water-gas are more decided than those of common coal-gas, the 
judges, in view of the facts above named, do not believe that this 


' 53 


constitutes an objection of sufficient weight to warrant the con¬ 
demnation which some alarmists have cast upon it. 

The judges are unanimous in the opinion that the display of 
the capabilities of water-gas for fuel purposes, made by the Lowe 
Manufacturing Company, was a most instructive and creditable one. 

CARBURETTED WATER-GAS. 

The carburetted water-gas was made simply by allowing the 
gas from the gas holder to pass through the carburetter, and 
saturate itself mechanically with the gasolene vapor In this con¬ 
dition it was used principally by the Siemens-Lungren Gas Light 
Company for lighting a portion of the main avenues. The judges 
submitted the gas to photometric examinations, with the following 
results: 

PHOTOMETRIC RECORD. 

( Observers : Greene, Marks, Wahl and Ward.) 


Gas consumption per hour,.3-9 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.0-15 inches. 

Burner U. S. Standard. 

Illuminating value,.18-33 candles. 

Equivalent candle-power, at five feet consumption, 23-50 candles. 
Candles per cubic foot.47 


THE LOWE INCANDESCENT GAS LIGHT. 

This light is obtained by allowing the non-luminous water-gas 
to impinge upon a spiral wire of platinum or platin iiidium. Sev¬ 
eral forms of this burner are used. Those shown at the exhibi¬ 
tion and examined by the judges were formed of a stcut wire of 
horse-shoe shape, the ends of which were attached to a brass collar 
and fitted snugly upon the ordinary lava tip slit burner. Upon 
this stout wire there was tied by means of a fine wire of the same 
material a close spiral of platinum, or platin-iridium, the stout sup¬ 
porting wire being placed on the upper or outer surface of the 
curve formed by the spiral. The size of the horse-shoe varies with 
the size of the burner on which it is intended to be used. 

They were shown singly, or in groups, or clusters, upon chan¬ 
deliers of the ordinary pattern, and upon specially designed fixtures, 
in several of the avenues and in the tastefully decorated rooms 
occupied by the Lowe Manufacturing Company. 

The adjustment of the spiral is such that the flame of the gas 
shall surround it, so that every part thereof may be equally heated 






54 


by it. To do this properly requires that the alignment of the 
spiral with respect to the flame shall be perfect, and that the orifice 
from which the flame issues shall be kept free from dust or other 
obstruction, otherwise the unequal brightness of the spiral becomes 
at once apparent. 

Observations of these lights at the exhibition and at the com¬ 
pany’s works, at Norristown, warrant the judges in the belief that 
these requirements present no serious difficulties in practice. When 
the gas is lighted, the spiral at once becomes brightly luminous, 
affording a steady uniform light, which at first suggests to the 
observer the well-known incandescent electric light. 

The judges have no data upon which to estimate the average 
life-duration of these burners, the opportunity for such tests as 
would be required to determine this question, not having presented 
itself. It may be proper to state, however, that the Lowe Manu¬ 
facturing Company claims to have had 2,000 hours of service from 
experimental burners of this type, without appreciable deterioration. 

It is alleged, likewise, that the question of durability is of 
secondary importance, since when spirals cease to act satisfactorily 
from any cause, they will still be worth the weight of the metal 
they contain, and may be exchanged for new spirals at a fractional 
cost above that of the metal. 

The results of photometric tests of a series of these spirals, using 
Lowe Fuel-Gas, manufactured on the exposition grounrs are given 
herewith : 

PHOTOMETRIC RESULTS. 

(/.— Observers: Marks , Wahl and Ward.) 


Gas consumption per hour.9*69 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure, ..2*25 inches. 

Illuminating value,.12-85 candles. 

Equivalent to 1*33 candles per cubic foot. 

(2 .— Observers: Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour,.8 31 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.2*37 inches. 

Illuminating value.io - 88 candies. 

Equivalent to 1*31 candles per cubic foot. 

(j>.— Observers: Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour,.7-9 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.2*5 inches. 

Illuminating value,.12*24 candles. 

Equivalent to 1*55 candles per cubic foot. 











55 


( 4 - — Observers: Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour,.67 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.175 inches. 

Illuminating value,.8*48 candles. 

Equivalent to 1-26 candles per cubic foot. 

(5.— Observers: Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour.67 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.. inch. 

Illuminating value.8*41 candles. 

Equivalent to 1-25 candles per cubic foot. 

( 6 .— Observers : Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour,.5-58 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.3*25 inches. 

Illuminating value,.9-94 candles. 

Equivalent to 178 candles per cubic foot. 

(7.— Observers : Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour,.5*1 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.1*5 inches. 

Illuminating value.6*85 candles. 

Equivalent to 174 candles per cubic foot. 

( 8 .— Observers : Wahl and Ward.) 

Gas consumption per hour.3*96 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.2" inches. 

Illuminating value,.5*49 candles. 

Equivalent to 178 candles per cubic foot. 


Mean of eight (8) experiments, i‘40 candles per cubic foot. 

TABLE SHOWING RECORD OF PHOTOM?:TRIC TESTS OF THE LOWE 
INCANDESCENT LIGHTS.-GAS USED, LOWE WATER-GAS. 


No. 0 / Experiments. 

Gas Consumed in 
Cubic Feet per Hour. 

Pressure at 
Burner, Inches. 

Candle-Power. 

Candles per 
Cubic Foot. 

I 

9*69 

2-25 

I2-85 

i '33 

2 

831 

2 77 

10*88 

i'3i 

3 

T 9 1 

27 

I2’24 

i*55 

4 

67 

175 

8-48 

1-26 

5 

67 

I* 

8-41 

1-25 

6 

v-rt 

GM 

00 

3*25 

9'94 

178 

7 

5 1 

i'5 

6-85 

1 '34 

8 

3-96 

2’ 

5'49 

178 

Mean of eight (8) experiments , 

. . . 


• 140 


From the results of these tests an approximate estimate of the 
cost of this light, as compared with ordinary illuminating gas, light 
for light , may be made as follows : 



















56 


If we assume the cost (to consumers) of coal-gas of seventeen 
candle power (equal to 3 4 candles per cubic foot) to be $1.50 per 
1,000, the cost of water-gas must not exceed sixty-one and three- 
fourths cents per 1,000. If we assume coal-gas of seventeen candle- 
power to cost the consumer $ 1 per 1,000, the cost of water-gas must 
not exceed forty one and one-sixth cents per 1,000; or, in round 
numbers, sixty and forty cents, respectively. 

In other words, to compete on equal terms with ordinary illu¬ 
minating gas, the Lowe incandescent light will have to be supplied 
at two-fifths the cost of the former. 

Whether such economy can be obtained, depends to a large 
extent upon the cost of distributing the gas, which will depend largely, 
in turn, upon the amount of consumption for fuel and lighting 
purposes; so that any estimate based upon the cost of gas in the 
holder, will be very misleading. On the question of economy, 
therefore, the judges refrain from expressing an opinion. 

The judges availed themselves of the opportunity afforded them 
after the close of the exhibition, to make a second series of photo¬ 
metric measurements of the Lowe incandescent burners, with the 
object of verifying and controlling the results of their first set of 
observations. The results are given below, and show a satisfactory 
uniformity between the two sets of observations. 


photometric record. —(Second Series.) 


(/.— Observers : Greene , Marks and Wahl.) 


Gas consumption per hour,.7 8 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure,.2'3 inches. 

Illuminating value.io'6 candles. 


Equivalent to T36 candles per cubic - foot. 


(2 .— Observers : Greene , Marks and Wahl.) 


Gas consumption per hour,.9 - 9 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure. 2*1 inches. 

Illuminating value,.I2'83 candles. 


Equivalent to i’29 candles per cubic foot. 


(3 .— Observers : Grec7ie, Marks and Wahl.) 


Gas consumption per hour,.474 cubic feet. 

Ignition pressure.275 inches. 

Illuminating value,.6*85 candles. 


Equivalent to 145 candles per cubic foot. 

Mean of three experiments , 13/ candles per cubic foot. 











57 


TABLE SHOWING RECORD OF PHOTOMETRIC TESTS OF LOWE INCAN¬ 
DESCENT BURNERS.—GAS USED, LOWE WATER-GAS. 


No. of Experiments. 
( 2 d Series.) 

Gas Consumed in 
Cubic Feet, per Hour. 

Pressure at 
Burners, Inches. 

Candle-Power. 

Candles per 
Cubic Foot. 

I 

7-8 

2*3 

10*6 

i- 3 6 

2 

9’9 

2' I 

12*83 

i "29 

3 

474 

275 

6-85 

1 '45 

Mean of three experiments , 



• 137 


The judges make the following recommendation : To the Lowe 
Manufacturing Company, Norristown, Pa., for substantial improve¬ 
ments in the manufacture of water-gas, and in appliances for using 
water-gas for fuel; for ingenuity displayed in methods for using 
water-gas for illuminating purposes, and for general excellence of 
collective exhibit of the capabilities of water-gas— 

A silver medal with a reference to the Committee on Science 
arid the Arts, for such higher award as it may deem proper to 
make. 

(signed) Wm. H. Wahl, Chairman , 

Wm. H. Greene, 

Wm. D. Marks, 

L. B. Hall, 

Geo. M. Ward, M. D., 
Griffith M. Eldridge. 


11 *** 

























































REPORT ON WATER-GAS. 




By a Special Committee Appointed by the Judges of the 
“Novelties” Exhibition, "'Franklin Institute. 


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